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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER STORM REPORTS

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in 1998

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across the United States in 1998 from January 3, 1998 through December 29, 1998, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Pick any date to see hail, wind and tornado public reports for that day — e.g. September 18, 2026.
Hail Reports
12,559
Wind Reports
13,587
Tornado Reports
1,529
Max Hail Size
5.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  United States · 1998 · 1998–present Updated  Daily · last Dec 29, 1998

NWS Hail Reports in 1998

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
0.75″ hail
Dec 6, 1998
12:30 PM EST
Hail report for 1998
Jasper County · 11,427 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Wheatfield, IN
0.75″ hail
Dec 6, 1998
10:55 AM CST
Hail report for 1998
Kankakee County · 32,312 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 N St Anne, IL
0.75″ hail
Dec 4, 1998
11:30 PM PST
Hail report for 1998
Orange County · 563,953 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: San Clemente, CA
0.75″ hail
Nov 30, 1998
12:18 AM CST
Hail report for 1998
Sebastian County · 40,043 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Ft Smith, AR
1.75″ hail
Nov 25, 1998
9:15 PM EST
Hail report for 1998
Hamblen County · 19,433 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Russellville, TN
1.00″ hail
Nov 25, 1998
9:15 PM EST
Hail report for 1998
Hamblen County · 19,433 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Russellville, TN
0.75″ hail
Nov 25, 1998
9:00 PM EST
Hail report for 1998
Grainger County · 7,608 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SW Bean Station, TN
0.75″ hail
Nov 25, 1998
5:25 PM CST
Hail report for 1998
McLean County · 3,094 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Island, KY
0.75″ hail
Nov 12, 1998
6:31 PM CST
Hail report for 1998
Brewster County · 4,182 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Alpine, TX
1.00″ hail
Nov 10, 1998
2:05 AM CST
Hail report for 1998
Cole County · 23,196 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Jefferson City, MO
0.75″ hail
Nov 10, 1998
12:45 AM CST
Hail report for 1998
Lawrence County · 12,673 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Chesapeake, MO
0.75″ hail
Nov 9, 1998
11:36 PM CST
Hail report for 1998
Delaware County · 15,881 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Grove, OK
0.75″ hail
Nov 9, 1998
11:25 PM CST
Hail report for 1998
Delaware County · 15,881 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 9 W Jay, OK
0.88″ hail
Nov 9, 1998
9:39 PM CST
Hail report for 1998
Pawnee County · 5,178 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Hallett, OK
0.75″ hail
Nov 9, 1998
9:00 PM CST
Hail report for 1998
Greenwood County · 3,178 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Neal, KS
Showing 15 of 30
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

NWS Wind Reports in 1998

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Dec 26, 1998
11:05 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Sarasota County · 149,260 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A 77 year-old male died from the combined effects of a heart attack and hypothermia when his 21 foot fishing boat was overturned by two estimated 18-20 foot waves, approximately 10 miles southwest of Venice, Florida. The sudden and large waves were generated by estimated winds of 25 to 40 mph from a fast-moving cold front that extended from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico northeast across West Central Florida.
NWS Wind Report Location: 10 SW Venice, FL
UNK mph
Dec 22, 1998
1:15 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Harlan County · 8,632 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Numerous reports of trees and power lines downed throughout county. One tree fell onto a trailer at Brittians Creek.
NWS Wind Report Location: Verda, KY
UNK mph
Dec 22, 1998
12:00 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Laurel County · 16,336 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trailer was blown off its foundation.
NWS Wind Report Location: East Bernstadt, KY
UNK mph
Dec 21, 1998
11:25 PM EST
Wind report for 1998
Pulaski County · 21,510 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Roof blown off home.
NWS Wind Report Location: Nancy, KY
60 mph
Dec 7, 1998
11:20 AM CST
Wind report for 1998
Wise County · 19,421 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Decatur, TX
UNK mph
Dec 7, 1998
5:00 AM CST
Wind report for 1998
Catahoula Parish · 2,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A high school sustained heavy roof damage. A barn was destroyed.
NWS Wind Report Location: Enterprise, LA
UNK mph
Dec 7, 1998
1:00 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Richland County · 40,192 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees were downed near the towns of Lucas and Ontario.
NWS Wind Report Location: Central Portion, OH
UNK mph
Dec 7, 1998
12:35 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Huron County · 18,449 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees were downed.
NWS Wind Report Location: Countywide, OH
UNK mph
Dec 7, 1998
12:25 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Morrow County · 12,012 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large limbs and at least one tree were downed.
NWS Wind Report Location: Mt Gilead, OH
UNK mph
Dec 7, 1998
12:20 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Hancock County · 24,189 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees and power lines were downed.
NWS Wind Report Location: Countywide, OH
60 mph
Dec 7, 1998
12:00 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
Macomb County · 255,601 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Romeo, MI
60 mph
Dec 7, 1998
12:00 AM EST
Wind report for 1998
St. Clair County · 57,326 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Port Huron, MI
63 mph
Dec 6, 1998
11:55 PM EST
Wind report for 1998
Macomb County · 255,601 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Utica, MI
63 mph
Dec 6, 1998
11:53 PM EST
Wind report for 1998
Wayne County · 555,005 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Allen Park, MI
58 mph
Dec 6, 1998
11:51 PM EST
Wind report for 1998
Monroe County · 51,494 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Monroe, MI
Showing 15 of 30
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

NWS Tornado Reports in 1998

30 reports
F0 category
Dec 29, 1998
9:30 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Acadia Parish · 18,578 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 E Morse, LA
F0 category
Dec 6, 1998
6:55 PM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Vermilion County · 27,107 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado touched down on the west side of Collison. It caused moderate to major damage to a dozen homes and destroyed a post office and two mobile homes. Dozens of trees were blown over and numerous projectiles...ranging from small tree branches to 2 inch by 8 inch boards...were either driven into the ground or into structures. No injuries or deaths were reported. Damage was estimated around $300,000.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Collison, IL
F0 category
Dec 5, 1998
8:30 PM PST
Tornado report for 1998
Santa Cruz County · 68,056 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Santa Cruz, CA
F0 category
Dec 5, 1998
7:30 PM PST
Tornado report for 1998
Contra Costa County · 287,782 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Richmond, CA
F1 category
Dec 5, 1998
6:20 PM PST
Tornado report for 1998
Sonoma County · 138,259 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Santa Rosa, CA
F1 category
Dec 5, 1998
3:57 PM PST
Tornado report for 1998
Mendocino County · 30,391 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SSW Ft Bragg, CA
F0 category
Nov 29, 1998
8:10 PM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Payne County · 22,542 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NNW Cushing, OK
F0 category
Nov 20, 1998
11:30 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Lafourche Parish · 29,725 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A weak tornado touched downed several times in the vicnity of Lockport. The tornado damaged car windows and downed several power lines.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Lockport, LA
F0 category
Nov 10, 1998
1:52 PM EST
Tornado report for 1998
Muskegon County · 58,059 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado rapidly dissipated as it moved inland as a tornado.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Roosevelt Park, MI
F1 category
Nov 10, 1998
11:45 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Tangipahoa Parish · 38,903 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado touched down briefly east of Kentwood destroying one house and downing several trees. An occupant of the house suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital and released.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 E Kentwood, LA
F0 category
Nov 10, 1998
11:15 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Iberia Parish · 21,061 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 SW New Iberia, LA
F0 category
Nov 10, 1998
9:45 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Acadia Parish · 18,578 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 E Morse, LA
F0 category
Nov 10, 1998
8:05 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Gallatin County · 1,776 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A weak, short-lived tornado was witnessed by a sheriff deputy and two residents of the community. The damage path, which was 800 feet long and 400 feet wide, was marked by uprooted trees and overturned campers.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Junction, IL
F1 category
Nov 10, 1998
7:55 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Fayette County · 15,106 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The tornado touched down twice. The first touchdown occurred about .5 miles northeast of the town of Liberty Hill and was on the ground for about 100 yards. The tornado touched down again about 2 miles northeast and stayed on the ground for a little over 3 miles. Two conventional homes and three mobile homes were demolished. Twenty-five other homes were damaged. Several barns were demolished and other farm structures were damaged. Numerous trees were knocked down as well.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NE Liberty Hill, TN
F0 category
Nov 10, 1998
5:30 AM CST
Tornado report for 1998
Monroe County · 2,745 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: WSW Monroe, AR
Showing 15 of 30
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in 1998 on the Interactive Map

Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado

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Browse NWS Storm Reports by Month in 1998

December 1998 103
Hail, wind & tornado reports
November 1998 675
Hail, wind & tornado reports
October 1998 665
Hail, wind & tornado reports
September 1998 1,130
Hail, wind & tornado reports
August 1998 1,670
Hail, wind & tornado reports
July 1998 2,844
Hail, wind & tornado reports
June 1998 8,560
Hail, wind & tornado reports
May 1998 6,737
Hail, wind & tornado reports
April 1998 2,485
Hail, wind & tornado reports
March 1998 1,242
Hail, wind & tornado reports
February 1998 1,057
Hail, wind & tornado reports
January 1998 507
Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in 1998? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many storm reports were recorded in 1998?

Our records show 12,559 hail, 13,587 wind, and 1,529 tornado reports in 1998, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on December 29, 1998.

What was the largest hail reported in 1998?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in 1998 is 5.00″, reported near Gilbert, IA.

Some reports show UNK instead of a wind speed or tornado rating — what does that mean?

Wind reports come three ways: measured from an instrument, estimated from the damage observed, or UNK when no speed was recorded. Tornadoes show UNK until the National Weather Service finishes a damage survey and assigns an EF rating. UNK simply means that value was not available when the report was filed.

A report appeared near my home in 1998 — is my roof damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report shows that hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby, not that any specific home was hit. To find out whether your property was affected, check an address-level hail report, and if it looks significant, ask a local pro about a Remote Hail Inspection before scheduling roof work.

I am buying or selling a home — how do these in 1998 reports help?

If a storm passed through, a roof or exterior may have damage that is hard to see, or a recent repair may trace back to it. Buyers can ask better questions before closing, and sellers can document the home condition up front — both starting from the property address rather than a whole region.

How do I check what happened at a specific address in 1998?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events in 1998 across the United States, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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